The Real Jazz Pedagogy Book: How to Build a Superior Jazz Ensemble

It is not the intention of the author of this book to create the ultimate comprehensive jazz pedagogy guide, but rather to address common, recurring problems that stand in the way of creating a superior jazz ensemble. Dr. Ray Smith is able to share ideas gleaned from over 40 years of jazz teaching to help solve these problems. He has been blessed with many insights and approaches that are effective and have allowed him to consistently turn out a superior jazz ensemble year after year and countless private students who have gone on to be very successful. No matter where you are in your teaching career, you will find helpful information and approaches within these pages.

About the Author:

Dr. Ray Smith is the educator’s educator. He is a master pedagogue and is respected as such by all of his peers. When he does clinics for educators, they flock to find out what they can learn. This book represents teaching ideas from over forty years of directing jazz bands. The proof is in the pudding as they say, and Smith’s BYU big band, Synthesis, has literally toured the world performing (Western Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia, Baltic States, Japan, China, Brazil, Carribean, etc.) and is recognized as one of the top collegiate bands in the world (Downbeat Student Music Awards, IAJE and JEN recognition, and winner of many jazz festivals both at home and internationally). Dr. Smith’s teaching is informed by his world class performance skills, and his performing credits are equally impressive as his teaching credits including much recording for major motion pictures and network televison and well over 200 music CDs. In 1998, he was given the Voice of Jazz Award for the State of Utah; and in 2008, he was recognized by the International Association for Jazz Education as the first Utah Jazz Master, a lifetime achievement award “for profound contributions and virtuoso performance in the field of jazz in Utah.”